The Sherbrooke Regiment was a regiment of the Canadian Militia and later the Canadian Army Reserve that existed from 1866 to 1965. Originally an infantry regiment, during the Second World War the regiment helped form the 27th Armoured Regiment (The Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment) which served as an armoured (tank) unit in the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade. In 1946, the regiment itself was converted to an armoured regiment was redesignated as The Sherbrooke Regiment (RCAC). In 1965, the regiment was amalgamated with the 7th/11th Hussars to form The Sherbrooke Hussars.[1][2][3]
Lineage
The Sherbrooke Regiment (RCAC)
Originated on 21 September 1866, in Melbourne, Canada East, as the Sherbrooke Battalion of Infantry.
Redesignated on 15 March 1867, as the 53rd Sherbrooke Battalion of Infantry.
Reorganized on 22 March 1867, as two separate battalions: the 53rd Melbourne Battalion of Infantry (later the 11th Hussars) and the 54th Sherbrooke Battalion of Infantry.
Redesignated on 10 May 1867, as the 53rd Sherbrooke Battalion of Infantry.
Redesignated on 8 May 1900, as the 53rd Sherbrooke Regiment.
Redesignated on 29 March 1920, as The Sherbrooke Regiment.
Redesignated on 15 December 1936, as The Sherbrooke Regiment (MG).
Redesignated on 1 February 1941, as The Sherbrooke Regiment.
Redesignated on 7 November 1940, as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The Sherbrooke Regiment.
Redesignated on 1 April 1946, as the 12th Armoured Regiment (Sherbrooke Regiment), RCAC.
Redesignated on 4 February 1949, as The Sherbrooke Regiment (12th Armoured Regiment).
Redesignated on 19 May 1958, as The Sherbrooke Regiment (RCAC).
Amalgamated on 15 February 1965, with the 7th/11th Hussars, and redesignated as The Sherbrooke Hussars.[2]
With the passing of the Militia Act of 1855, the first of a number of newly raised independent militia companies were established in and around the Eastern Townships region of Canada East (now the Province of Quebec).
On 21 September 1866, the Sherbrooke Battalion of Infantry was authorized for service by the regimentation of six of these previously authorized independent militia rifle and infantry companies. The battalion's headquarters was located at Melbourne and had companies at Sherbrooke, Danville, Melbourne (Kingsbury), Richmond and Lennoxville.[1]
On 15 March 1867, the battalion was reorganized as the 53rd Sherbrooke Battalion of Infantry. On 22 March 1867, the battalion was redesignated as the 54th Sherbrooke Battalion of Infantry and again on 10 May 1867, as the 53rd Sherbrooke Battalion of Infantry.[1]
On 8 May 1900, the 53rd Sherbrooke Battalion of Infantry was redesignated as the 53rd Sherbrooke Regiment.[1][5]
First World War
On 6 August 1914, Details of the 53rd Sherbrooke Regiment were placed on active service for local protective duty.[2]
On 22 December 1915, the 117th (Eastern Townships) Battalion, CEF was authorized for service, and on 14 August 1916 the battalion embarked for Great Britain. After its arrival in the UK, the battalion provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. On 8 January 1917, the battalion's personnel were absorbed by the 23rd Reserve Battalion, CEF. On 30 August 1920, the 117th Battalion, CEF was disbanded.[2]
1920s-1930s
On 1 April 1920, as a result of the Otter Commission and the following post-war reorganization of the militia, the 53rd Sherbrooke Regiment was redesignated as The Sherbrooke Regiment and was reorganized with two battalions (one of them a paper-only reserve battalion) to perpetuate the assigned war-raised battalions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.[1][3][6]
As a result of the 1936 Canadian Militia reorganization, on 15 December 1936, The Sherbrooke Regiment was converted to an infantry machine gun battalion and was redesignated as The Sherbrooke Regiment (Machine Gun).[1][7][8][9]
Organization
Sherbrooke Battalion of Infantry (21 September 1866)
